DoT likely to get 150 Mhz spectrum from Defence Ministry in 3 months

Trai had last month suggested an auction starting price that is nearly 10 times that paid by carriers in a 2008.NEW DELHI: The telecom ministry expects the defence to release in three months 150 Mhz of spectrum in 1700-2000 mhz bands that can be used for all type of mobile services, including 3G and 4G.

"The DoT expects to complete Phase I of spectrum harmonisation in three months. This will free at least 150 Mhz of airwaves for mobile services in 1700-2000 Mhz band," an official source told PTI.

As the Phase I of spectrum harmonisation covers six-seven telecom circles for 1700-2000 Mhz bands, the 150 Mhz quantum of radiowaves would be available in those areas initially.

The release of 150 Mhz of spectrum by the Defence to DoT is pending since 2009.

The Cabinet in January 2015, resolved the spectrum tussle between DoT and the Defence by approving a harmonisation plan. Under the plan, government earmarked bands for exclusive use of security establishment while making available the remaining radiowaves for commercial use in areas like telecom and broadcasting.

Under the harmonisation process, all ministries were required to identify spectrum as per their use and timeline by when they can vacate the excess spectrum by January 2016.

DoT and the Defence Ministry had signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009 to get some spectrum freed from the latter for commercial mobile telephony services.

As part of the MoU, Defence had agreed to vacate 150 Mhz out of 300 Mhz that it holds in the frequency bands ranging from 1700 Mhz to 2000 Mhz. This band includes frequencies that can be used for transmitting 2G, 3G and 4G mobile signals.

In return, DoT had committed to set up an exclusive defence network for its communication services.

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After PSU banks, the government is likely to infuse capital in two chronically ill telecom PSUs BSNL and MTNL, and the Union Cabinet is likely to take a decision on 4G spectrum allocation to them by the third week of the current month after DoT places the note before it for consideration.

At a high-level meeting at the PMO late Tuesday, it was also decided that the two telcos will frame a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to reduce their employee strength, which will be followed by a reduction in the retirement age to 58.